CAMS 56

CAMS 56: Origin and Development

In 1928, the Chantiers Aeromaritimes de la Seine (CAMS) company built four transport flying boats, designated CAMS 56. This aircraft was a variant of the CAMS 53, equipped with 480 hp Gnome & Rhone 9Akx engines. These engines were a French licensed version of the British Bristol Jupiter, leading to its initial designation as CAMS 53-3.

Deployment and Performance

While the new engine slightly decreased flight speed, it significantly increased the flight range to 1160 kilometers. All four flying boats were delivered in 1929 to Compagnie Generale Aeropostale (a division of Air-Union), which utilized them on its Mediterranean routes, proving their reliability in transport operations.

The CAMS 57 Variant

In the same year, another transport flying boat variant, the CAMS 57 (or CAMS 53R), was proposed to Air-Union. This model was powered by 480 hp Renault 12Jb liquid-cooled engines. However, this new version did not generate much interest and, as a result, only a single unit was built, remaining a unique prototype.

Technical Specifications

Modification	CAMS 56
Wingspan, m	20. 40
Length, m	14. 82
Height, m	5. 52
Wing area, m2	113. 55
Empty weight	4100
Maximum takeoff weight	6500
Engine type	2 Piston engines Gnome & Rhone 9Akx
Power, hp	2 x 480
Maximum speed, km/h	216
Cruising speed, km/h	160
Practical range, km	1160
Rate of climb, m/min	138
Service ceiling, m	3600
Crew, crew members	2
Payload:	4 passengers

Image gallery of the CAMS 56